yes. You are so right. It is the 'establishment of religion' based on one or more mens' interpretation of Scripture, that has all but destroyed what God wrought in Christ. The thing is, Jesus made disciples, churches make 'dependents'. The critical concept found in Christ's final directive to his church, the commandment to be 'clothed with power from on high', is entirely overlooked in most denominations. If you think about it, the entire Baptist, Catholic, Methodist, Lutheran, etc churches base their foundation on water baptism, which flies in the face of Acts 1:5, and the fact that the baptism of the holy spirit on the day of Pentecost, launched the power walk of the believers - a rite wholly overlooked in most if not all denominational churches. A saint who sits in a pew and hears and believes, without researching for a witness of the holy spirit - is of all men, most to be pitied. He is as you say, being directed to a wide gate.
When I read the word, and I come across a Greek or Hebrew word, I generally will look it up in its modern form and understanding after seeing the biblical understanding. Some match with the ancient tongue, others not, and yet others which more-than-match. ἁρπαγησόμεθα lives in the third category. The ancient ἁρπάζω is eclipsed by the modern. The ancient meaning is more general, the modern very specific. Strong’s Definition: ‘to seize (in various applications):—catch (away, up), pluck, pull, take (by force)’. Modern translation tells us ‘we are raptured’. It is interesting to me how scripture controlled the change, rather than the world, which is usually the case. So many times it is the world that controls meanings, and definitions, so our understanding of the inspired word is hampered or destroyed by worldly knowledge. This fits perfectly with the liar’s lies. It can lead us in the path of destruction. The integrity of the word is being challenged. Understand, the word of God says what it means and means what it says. There is a purpose for every jot and tittle. Cursed is the man who adds to or subtracts from that word. It is part of the wide road and the wide gate that leads to destruction.
Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth. It is a matter of life and death, eternally. ☁️ or 🔥
If ANY other word had been used in I THessalonians 4:17 it would not have been as powerful or convincing,.. in fact, 'caught away', is so mild compared to what it really means - 'Harpagesometha' envisions being SNATCHED in an instant before the train hits with all its force. That tells us a lot about the timing of the rapture. It sounds very much like the Lord will do that JUST as he opens the seals for the rest of the world! The 'timing is totally in his hands'. I know saintly folks who think the rapture is fiction. But while the timing may be debated - the reality of it cannot. The templates or patterns from the Old Testament, in Enoch, and Elijah, suffice to say it's a God plan, but that wonderful word, Harpagesometha, puts the exclamation point on the truth.
“It’s time to leave denominational Christianity behind …”
Denominational Christianity is manmade artifice, an evil contrivance; it is a stumbling block that so often redirects the flock to the wide gate.
yes. You are so right. It is the 'establishment of religion' based on one or more mens' interpretation of Scripture, that has all but destroyed what God wrought in Christ. The thing is, Jesus made disciples, churches make 'dependents'. The critical concept found in Christ's final directive to his church, the commandment to be 'clothed with power from on high', is entirely overlooked in most denominations. If you think about it, the entire Baptist, Catholic, Methodist, Lutheran, etc churches base their foundation on water baptism, which flies in the face of Acts 1:5, and the fact that the baptism of the holy spirit on the day of Pentecost, launched the power walk of the believers - a rite wholly overlooked in most if not all denominational churches. A saint who sits in a pew and hears and believes, without researching for a witness of the holy spirit - is of all men, most to be pitied. He is as you say, being directed to a wide gate.
When I read the word, and I come across a Greek or Hebrew word, I generally will look it up in its modern form and understanding after seeing the biblical understanding. Some match with the ancient tongue, others not, and yet others which more-than-match. ἁρπαγησόμεθα lives in the third category. The ancient ἁρπάζω is eclipsed by the modern. The ancient meaning is more general, the modern very specific. Strong’s Definition: ‘to seize (in various applications):—catch (away, up), pluck, pull, take (by force)’. Modern translation tells us ‘we are raptured’. It is interesting to me how scripture controlled the change, rather than the world, which is usually the case. So many times it is the world that controls meanings, and definitions, so our understanding of the inspired word is hampered or destroyed by worldly knowledge. This fits perfectly with the liar’s lies. It can lead us in the path of destruction. The integrity of the word is being challenged. Understand, the word of God says what it means and means what it says. There is a purpose for every jot and tittle. Cursed is the man who adds to or subtracts from that word. It is part of the wide road and the wide gate that leads to destruction.
Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth. It is a matter of life and death, eternally. ☁️ or 🔥
If ANY other word had been used in I THessalonians 4:17 it would not have been as powerful or convincing,.. in fact, 'caught away', is so mild compared to what it really means - 'Harpagesometha' envisions being SNATCHED in an instant before the train hits with all its force. That tells us a lot about the timing of the rapture. It sounds very much like the Lord will do that JUST as he opens the seals for the rest of the world! The 'timing is totally in his hands'. I know saintly folks who think the rapture is fiction. But while the timing may be debated - the reality of it cannot. The templates or patterns from the Old Testament, in Enoch, and Elijah, suffice to say it's a God plan, but that wonderful word, Harpagesometha, puts the exclamation point on the truth.